This quarter, we are focusing on deep groove ball bearings – an essential component in countless industrial applications. Every manufacturer brings their own expertise to the development of these bearings, but what sets them apart? Japanese manufacturer NACHI has developed a unique design featuring specially designed seals and a specially formulated lubricant to ensure maximum performance and durability.

We had the opportunity to speak with Florian Nimz, Sales Manager of NACHI’s Bearing Division. In our interview, he provides fascinating insights into NACHI’s manufacturing processes, explains the story behind the company’s name, and shares how NACHI is preparing for the future of the bearing industry with innovative solutions.

Let’s start with a brief introduction. Who are you, and what is your role at NACHI?

Florian Nimz: My name is Florian Nimz, and I am the Sales Manager for NACHI’s Bearing Division. I oversee industrial customers and distributors in southern and eastern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Where does the name NACHI come from?

Florian Nimz: The NACHI brand name originates from “KUMANO-NACHI-TAISHA,” the Grand Shrine, considered the birthplace of Japan. This name reflects our strong corporate spirit. NACHI was established as a brand in 1929, just a year after the company was founded, and has been carried by all our products ever since.

Your company covers the entire manufacturing process, from steel production to the final bearing application, particularly in robotics. Can you tell us more about this?

Florian Nimz: Our product portfolio includes cutting tools, specialty steels, bearings, hydraulic components and systems, and industrial robots. All of these products are manufactured in-house, creating a uniquely integrated system. This gives us complete control over our processes and allows us to ensure the highest quality standards for our final products. We supply a wide range of industries, with a particular focus on machine tools, construction equipment, the automotive and aerospace sectors, power plants, and the electrical and electronics industries.

Your portfolio includes deep groove ball bearings with specially designed seals as a standard feature. What sets this design apart?

Florian Nimz: The combination of a specially engineered seal groove and a unique lip shape ensures consistent sealing contact. This is crucial for maintaining excellent sealing performance, even when there are relative movements due to clearance, external loads, or manufacturing tolerances. Additionally, an integrated breather notch prevents pressure differences caused by temperature fluctuations, which could otherwise increase torque. Moreover, a newly developed heat-resistant nitrile rubber material ensures a reliable sealing performance across a temperature range of -25°C to 130°C.

What type of lubricant is used in these deep groove ball bearings?

Florian Nimz: Our deep groove ball bearings are lubricated with Multemp SRL-Q, a high-performance grease developed specifically for NACHI in collaboration with Kyodo Yushi. This lubricant has been optimized to meet the exact requirements of NACHI bearings. Compared to conventional standard grease, it offers twice the service life at an operating temperature of 120°C. This significantly extends the lifespan and enhances the performance of the bearings, especially under demanding operating conditions.

Looking ahead, what challenges and opportunities do you see for the bearing industry in light of global market developments and technological advancements?

Florian Nimz: Right now, we are focused on developing resin-coated bearings that offer enhanced protection against electrolytic corrosion—an important innovation, particularly for the growing electric vehicle (EV) market. While demand for EVs is still developing, we expect significant growth in the coming years. With this new specification, we are also exploring potential applications in industrial electric motors, as the internal conditions in these motors are similar to those in EVs. Currently, ceramic bearings are used to prevent electrolytic corrosion. If we can successfully replace them with our solution, we can offer a more cost-effective product. This is just one example of how we continuously adapt our portfolio to meet the evolving needs of the market.

Thank you for the insightful conversation!